For by grace you have been saved through faith…
— Ephesians 2:8
Andrew Carnegie once told a story about visiting Yellowstone Park, where he saw a huge grizzly bear. The bear was in a clearing, feeding on some discarded camp food, and he was eating alone. After a few minutes, a skunk walked toward the food and took his place right next to the grizzly. The bear did not object at all. Why? He knew the high cost of getting even.
We would be wise to learn that lesson. Getting even might be the way of the world, but it is often done at great expense. As the Word tells us:
Resentment kills the fool…
— Job 5:2 NIV
When we try to get even we get hurt. Resentment makes us pay a price physically.
Resentment and an unforgiving heart hurt relationships. As Max Lucado asks in his book, The Great House of God, “Who wants to be a friend with a person who is known to keep and settle scores for a living?”
Sunday, we heard a sermon about our daily call to a different standard. The Word calls us to remember that we were once children in need of a father, and we were given one. We were sinners in need of grace. We have received the grace we needed. We are now to share and give his love and grace to others. Now, that is different.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
— Colossians 3: 13